【Kyoto History Guide】Saigo Takamori & Okubo Toshimichi: The Satsuma Samurai of Kyoto

Hello everyone! Welcome to your travel guide for exploring Japan’s incredible samurai history.

During the turbulent Meiji Restoration, two visionary leaders from the Satsuma Domain—Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi—transformed Japan from a feudal Shogunate into a modern nation. Kyoto served as their primary stage for political intrigue and military battles.

In this guide, we’ll visit key historic sites in Kyoto where Saigo, Okubo, and the Satsuma samurai shaped the future of Japan!

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1. Center of Political Conspiracy: Satsuma Residence Ruins (Doshisha University)

The Nihonmatsu Satsuma Residence, located next to Shokoku-ji Temple (now inside Doshisha University’s Imadegawa Campus), served as Satsuma’s diplomatic headquarters in Kyoto.

Here, Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi orchestrated secret strategies, including brokering the historic Satsuma-Choshu Alliance (1866) with Kido Takayoshi through Sakamoto Ryoma’s mediation.

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2. Battle at the Imperial Gates: Hamaguri-gomon Gate

In 1864, the Choshu Domain marched on Kyoto to reclaim political influence, leading to the bloody “Kinmon Incident” (Hamaguri-gomon Incident) at the Imperial Palace gates.

Saigo Takamori led Satsuma troops in defense of the Imperial Palace, defeating Choshu forces. Visitors today can still see real bullet holes embedded in the copper-plated gate from the fierce battle.

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3. Dawn of a New Era: Gokou-no-miya Shrine & Battle of Toba-Fushimi

In 1868, the Boshin War erupted as new Imperial forces (Satsuma-Choshu) fought against former Shogunate loyalists in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi.

Satsuma troops set up their artillery base at Gokou-no-miya Shrine in Fushimi. Their superior firepower broke the Shogunate lines, marking the decisive end of samurai rule in Japan.

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4. Travel Tips for History Buffs

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5. Summary

Through decisive political maneuvering and fierce military leadership, Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi transformed Kyoto into the cradle of modern Japan. Walk in the footsteps of the Satsuma samurai and feel the intense history of 19th-century Japan!